SOL HOOPII (SOLOMON HO’OPI’I KA’AI’AI) -born 1902 in Honolulu, the first of 21 children, a
musical genius at the age of 3. His musical idols were Joseph Kekuku, Pale K. Lua and David Ka’ili. He
played his first professional engagements in San Francisco at age 17. He traveled there with two friends as
stowaways on a ship. Passengers enjoyed his music so much that they paid their fares. Dubbed the “King of
Steel Guitar” and the “Fritz Kreisler of the Steel Guitar” (Fritz Kreisler being the top Violinist of the day).
Recorded with Lani McIntire and Glenwood Leslie as “Sol Hoopii and the Novelty Trio”. Taken to Hollywood by Hoot
Gibson in the early 1920’s to play in a country music band. Played first an acoustic Martin (with very
flamboyant style), then a black bakelite Rickenbacker electric. He might have been the first to play an
electric steel guitar before an audience as he played the Fry Pan prototype at a fund raising party to begin
production of the instrument. Was in great demand in Hollywood as musician, actor and technical director.
His music was featured in the 1932 release of “Bird of Paradise”, “Flirtation Walk” released in 1934,
“Waikiki Wedding” with Bing Crosby released in 1937, the “Hawaiian Buckaroo” released in 1938, “Navy
Blues” released in 1941, and “Song of the Islands” with Betty Grable and Victor Mature” released in 1942. Known as the “Hollywood
Hawaiian”, when Mary Pickford had to play a scene requiring her to cry, she would insist on Sol’s steel
guitar playing to give her the proper emotion. Sol also played on radio and in night clubs in the Los Angeles
area. Sol’s extensive recordings were popular around the world and inspired many to play the steel guitar.
He was the trend setter that no one could equal. His complex style was the most sophisticated in Hawaiian
music. He had influence on country music and was copied by steel guitarists all over the world. In later life,
he dedicated himself to gospel music and evangelism after hearing a 12 year old girl preach her first sermon
entitled “Be Ready” at Aimee Semple MacPherson’s Angelus Temple in Los Angeles around 1938. He later
wrote a sacred song of the same title. He suffered blindness due to his diabetes near the end of his life, but
continued to perform and compose religious songs. His last public performance was at Bud Tutmarc’s
“Monday Musical” show in Seattle, September 28, 1953. He died November, 1953 in Seattle at the age of
51 due to kidney failure and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles. He was named to the Steel
Guitar Hall of Fame in 1979.

A very special offering of the Bud
Tutmarc collection of SOL HOOPII public performances, private
parties

and jam sessions INCLUDING the last
performance of Sol Hoopii...NOW AVAILABLE ON CD!!!

in an
attractive and protective CD collection case.

Available in 9
CD format for only $69.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling throughout the U.S. and $10 shipping and handling for deliveries outside the U.S. To pay using a credit card via Paypal, click on the "Add to Cart" button for U.S. sales and "Add to Cart (International)" for deliveries outside the U.S.

To pay by check, Send your check or money order made payable to GREG TUTMARC, to:

NolaSt. Louis Blues
Honeysuckle Rose
Sunny Side of the Street
Fort Street Rag
Indiana March
Kohala March
Maui Chimes
Hawaiian War Chant
Song of Old Hawaii
Pagan Love Song

CD 4

Hawaii Calls
Honolulu March
Wailana
Song of the Islands
Ua Like, Noa Like
To You, My Lord, Aloha
Life's Railway to Heaven
Hilo March
Isle of Golden Dreams
Now is the Hour
The Love of God
Preach the Word
What a Friend
No One Ever Cared
Aloha Oe

CD 5

Sol's Hawaiian Greeting
Hawaii Calls
Hilo MarchIsle of Golden Dreams
Now is the Hour
Sweet Lei Lani
Blue Hawaii
He Keeps Me Singing
He Hideth My Soul
Preach the Word
Kohala March
To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
Three in One Song
Showers of Blessing
At Calvary
Power in the Blood
I'll Go With Him
He's Coming Soon

Song of the IslandsHawaiian Hotel March
Drowsy Waters
Ua Like, Noa Like
Hemanao
Hawaiian Chant
Beauty Hula
Beautiful Kahana
Forget Me Not
Honolulu March
In the Sweet Bye and Bye
At Calvary
Bringing In the Sheaves
Beautiful Christ
Never Failed Me Yet
The Loveliness of Jesus
In Love With the Lover of my Soul
One Rose
Beautiful King of Kings
Healer of Broken Hearts
Nail Scarred Hands
Life's Railway to Heaven
Hawaiian War Chant
Hilo March
Aloha Oe

CD 8

Song of the Islands
Hawaiian Hotel March
In The Sweet Bye and Bye
Kalakaua O Hilo Hanakahi
Beautiful King of Kings
Kohala March
Overshadowed
Beautiful Christ
Never Failed Me Yet
The Loveliness of Jesus
In Love With the Savior of My Soul
When Jesus Comes
He's Coming Soon